Hello and welcome back! I hope you´re all enjoying wonderful fall weather like we´re having here. And that you´re reading lots of great new romances. This week and next, I´ve got some Christmas romances, all available now, for you, to put you in the holiday mood. A tad early perhaps, but the season will soon be upon us--shopping, wrapping, baking...and wonderful new romances to cheer you even more.

First up this week is "Mistletoe Mischief" by Sandra Heath (Signet Regency). Lady Evangeline Radcliffe has plucked the unlucky Megan Mortimer from the throes of despair, not to mention potential homelessness, to be her companion, but Lady E has other plans for Megan as well. And they include her cousin Sir Greville Seton, whose dislike for companions is well-known. With the holiday season fast approaching and a Christmas spirit about to liven things up even more, you´re in for a delightful couple of hours with this tale. This one earns three and a half of Cupid´s five arrows.

"Once Upon a Christmas" by Diane Farr (Signet Regency) has another woman plotting to match up family members. The Duchess of Delacourt has decided that her distant cousin, Celia will be a perfect mate for her son, Jack, Lord Lyndon and heir to the duchy. Jack spots the plan immediately, but isn´t sure whether to be annoyed or attracted by the unassuming miss. The duchess is not a very pleasant woman, so watching her plans fall apart in front of her makes this story more amusing. I´m giving this one three of Cupid´s arrows.

The third book I read this week is Twelve Days by Teresa Hill (Signet Romance). Break out a new box of tissues for this one. Rachel and Sam McRae are on the brink of losing each other. They´ve lost a child of their own and recently one they´d hoped to adopt and they´ve run out of ways to cope. But just after Rachel overhears Sam talking about leaving her after the holidays, three more children come to them in need of a safe place to stay. Neither Rachel nor Sam feels up to the task of caring for more children they´re destined to lose, but hearts have a funny way of doing their own thing. But even if they can keep these children, can they open their hearts to each other again? Very nicely done story, but very, very heart-tugging. This one´s getting four arrows.

Finally, just a reminder: this is your last chance to register for the Romantic Times convention scheduled for November 9-12 in Houston, TX. There are several hundred authors scheduled for the booksigning, and wonderful workshops planned for both readers and writers. I hope to meet some of you there.

And in the meantime, check out our forum and weekly chat! Till next week, happy reading!